California / Santa Barbara County / Channel Islands National Park

Santa Cruz Scorpion

Open — Open year-round. Advance reservations required through Recreation.gov. Boat transportation must be arranged separately with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor.

About

Scorpion Canyon Campground sits on the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island, the largest of California's Channel Islands. The campground consists of two loops: a lower loop with 22 individual sites and an upper loop with 3 individual sites and 6 group sites located a quarter mile up the valley. Set in a sheltered canyon with a mix of trees and shrubs, the campground is protected from harsh ocean winds while rugged mountain peaks rise to 1,808 feet above. The mixed sand and rock beach near the campground faces the Santa Barbara Channel and offers excellent opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Hiking trails include the 2-mile Cavern Point Loop with spectacular coastal views and historic ranch buildings, and the more challenging 7.5-mile round-trip to Smugglers Cove. The island is home to unique endemic species including the island fox and island scrub-jay, found nowhere else in the world. Camping conditions are primitive with no services on the island. Visitors must bring all provisions and be prepared to pack out all trash. Access is exclusively by boat through Island Packers from Ventura Harbor, requiring both campground and boat transportation reservations. Campers should prepare for variable weather conditions and bring supplies for an extra day in case boats cannot operate due to sea conditions.

Directions

Accessible only by boat. Arrange boat transportation with Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. From Highway 101, exit at Victoria or Seaward Avenue to Ventura Harbor. The campground is a half-mile hike from the pier landing on Santa Cruz Island.

Nearby Campgrounds